If you are getting married, sending out wedding invitations is the first impression your guests will have of the big day. An invitation can reflect the theme and intricacies of a wedding while conveying important information such as date, time, location, menu and directions. Invitations also provide feedback for the bride and groom as to how many people will be in attendance. Invitations should be easy for guests to understand and pretty enough to have as a keepsake for years to come.
Instructions
1. Purchase professional invitations or create your own. If you do not have the time to make your own, a local printer will likely have many wedding invitation designs from which to choose. Ask the printer if there is a guarantee on the final product and if he offers invitation assembly. Though it may cost extra, having the invitations assembled can save precious time for a busy bride.
If you are on a budget, make your own invitations at home for a fraction of the price of the professional version. Visit websites such as wedding-invitation-ideas.com for free printable wedding invitations that can be embellished with ribbons, sequins and glitter. Print your invitations on a heavy card stock and select an envelope that complements the invitation.
2. Select your wedding invitation wording carefully, as it should mirror the character and personality of your big day; it can be humorous or romantic. Most printing companies offer a selection of wedding invitation wordings, but you may elect to write your own for more sentiment. Look for free wording examples at websites such as invitationconsultants.com.
3. Assemble the invitations with the help of friends and family. For large weddings, preparing and sending out 200 invitations is not uncommon. Without help, a bride and groom can find themselves overwhelmed with invitations. When assembling, inform each person of the proper order of the invitation. This works best when done in assembly line order, with each person in charge of one task. According to wedalert.com, insertions are placed on top of single-fold invitations, or inside of double-fold invitations. From bottom to top, assemble your insertions with tissue paper, a reception card, a map or directions, the response envelope and an RSVP card inside the flap of the response envelope.
4. Address the invitation envelopes correctly and ornately. Sloppy invitation envelopes can yield a poor impression of the quality of the wedding. Find a friend or family member with neat handwriting, or hire a professional calligrapher for a truly exceptional look. Properly address all guests by using the correct spelling of names and avoiding abbreviations and nicknames. A complete list of invitation address guidelines is available at wedalert.com.
5. Mail the invitations in the proper timing respective to the wedding. You should send invitations approximately six weeks before the wedding, but no sooner than eight weeks. This will give guests a generous amount of time to reserve the date and respond with an RSVP. This will also give guests who live out of town ample time to make a hotel reservation.
Tags: wedding invitation, bride groom, each person, give guests, invitation envelopes, make your